, 1887-03-10
Washington Notes.

Washington Notes.
WASHINGTON, March Agricultural
colleges are flying their flags and the peo-
pie who are especially interested in them
are rejoicing in consequence OF the pass
age of the experiment station bill, but the
question has arisen which would appear
to indicate that the demonstrations are
premature. The first section of the bill,
the only one relating to appropriations.
says; The sum of s15, 900 is hereby APP
priated to each state to be specially pro-
vided for by congress in appropriations
from year to year from
sales of public lands + < < \,
the first payment to be made on the LIST
day of October. 1887" This singular
phrase oddly has been taken to be an ap-
propriating clause, but close inspection of
it has given rise to doubts, an unofficial
opinion being hat no money is appro-
priated. If this is sustained by the au-
thorities the beginning OF the new work
will be delayed until congress acts
further.
Relative to the reported dismissal of
the foreman of the English naval works
shops at Chatham for selling information,
plans of vessels, torpedoes, etc., to this
government, it is said at the navy de-
partment that SO far as this government
Is concerned there is absolutely no truth
in the charge. In this connection the
fact is really that Capt. Hichborne pub
lished a work about a year ago on British
docks and dock yards. which it was said
contained information furnished to him
in confidence, and not for publication.
Subsequently the author explained the
facts satisfactorily; but it is possible that
the discharge OF the foreman Just reported
is the result of Capt. H~ichborne's publ
cation.
Vice Consul Knight reports to the de-
partment of state concerning the Trans
vaal gold fields hat the wonderful Shelba
reef has been eclipsed by another reef dis
covered last summer and known as the
Thomas reef, from which samples of
quartz weighing 1900 pounds, it is
claimed, yielded l4S ounces of gold.
These discoveries naturally gave an i'm
petus to prospecting on a large scale, re-
sulting in the discovery of marvelously
extensive gold quartz veins. The vice
consul says that he believes, after making
inquiries and from the best information
o%btainable, that the Transvaal fields, when
fully developed, will prove among the
richest in the world. Recent discoveries
have naturally given rise to no end of
speculation and mining ventures, and a
great rush of capitalists, miners and ad-
venturers have set in for the fields. Near
Shelba reef, the city of Barberton has
sprung up as if by magic, numbering al
ready 1000 to 5000 people, and is rapid
ly increasing. The report concludes by
c%autioning persons without means. not to
venture into the gold country unless they
be thoroughly practical miners, as the con-
ditions existing are very hard and many
will be doomed to bitter disappointment.
Acting Secretary of the Treasury Fair
child is still regarded as Manning,s most
likely successor.
Democratic members of congress and
others who have access to the president
and a means of knowledge of the subject,
do not believe that there is any possibility
of an evtra session of congress nhw. The
prevalent impression, as gathered by a
Star reporter from conversation with
members of congress, is that t he fftieth
congress will be called together in the fall,
perhaps in October, in order that some
important legislation before it may be
matured early.